Improved process for reducing rebellious ores of the precious metals



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ALFRED I. FRICK 'ANI) JEAN BAPTISTE LE G-LERO, on sAN FRANCISCO,

, CALIFCRNIA.

Letters Patent No. 96,7 90, dated November 16, 1869.

IMPROVED PROCESS FOR REDUCING REBELLIOUS ORES OI THE PRECIOUS METALS.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same To all whom it may concern Be. it known that we, ALFRED I. FRICK and JEAN BAPTISTE LE Gnnno, of the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented an Improved Process for Reducing Rebellions Ores Containing the Precious Metals and we do hereby declarethat .the following specification is a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

The ore to be treated is first pulverized in the usual way. We then prepare a saturated solution of salt, and add from three (3) to five (5) pounds of sulphuric or muriatic acid, and ten (10) pounds of lime to the ton of two thousand (2,000) pounds, according to the analysis of the ore. v

If base metals and sulphurets largely predominate, we add the maximum of five pounds of the acid.

Mix this ore with the above solution, in quantity to bring it to the consistency of mortar or brick-clay, incprporating, in the mixture, straw, the bark of trees, sage-brush, sawdust, or any fibrous material. I

We then form the composition into brick or adobes, after the manner of making the ordinary bricks for building-purposes. These bricks are perforated flatwise, vertically, while being pressed, and are placed in a suitable furnace and roasted or burned, the perforations acting as so many fines for conducting the heat through the brick, and effecting a more complete volatilization of the baser metals.

The object of incorporating the fibre being fourfold First, to provide an adhesive substance for the mass in forming it into bricks.

Second, to increase the heat in burning, by incorporating a combustible material with the humid mass.

'lhird, rendering the brick more porous.

.Fourth, the ashes or alkali which is obtained by the combustion to assist in the final amalgamation.

After this has been accomplished, the product is reduced and amalgamated as by the usual methods well know to mill-men.

By this combination of the acid, salt, lime, and water, with theore, in the presence of a high degree of heat,.a perfect disintegration is effected, and the baser metals are changed and become oxidized, while the-precious metals are metallized so that they may be easily .reduced and amalgamated.

By this means, also, we are enabled to treat successfully and profitably the tailings, so called, that have been cast aside as worthless, by mill-owners, from which, in many instances, \vehave taken out as high as twenty dollars per ton of metal.

\Ve do not claim forming crushed ores with bricks by-means of common salt, as described in the patent of E. N. Kent,,Novemb'er 15, 1864: but having thus described our invention,

, \Vhat we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- I 1. The use of the within-described ingredients when mixed or compounded with the ore in about the proportions and in the. manner herein specified. for the purpose set forth.

2. The use ofacids and alkaiics when mixed with the mortar or ore before burning, and subjecting the same to a high degree of heat, to produce the results described, for the purpose set forth.

3. Perforating the bricks or adobes before burning or roasting, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof,

we have hereunto set our hands and seals. 

